Medford Police have arrested two men they say were caught stealing gas from cars early Tuesday morning on Bradlee Road.

David Santucci, 25, of Poole Street, and Ronald Cresta, Jr., 28, of Mystic Valley Parkway were arrested around 1AM on Tuesday morning after neighbors told police the pair was siphoning gas from cars.

According to police, officers Marc Gigante and Alan Wise found Cresta hiding in some bushes and Santucci hiding in his car on nearby Hall Avenue. The officers say it appeared a hole had been punctured in the fuel tank of a parked car and a plastic gas tank was placed under the hole to catch the fuel.

Cresta and Santucci were arrested and are charged with larceny under $250, a misdemeanor, and malicious destruction of property under $250, a felony. Cresta also had other warrants out for his arrest.

Although police say gas theft has not been a frequent occurrence in the city they urge residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities in their neighborhood to police immediately.

- InsideMedford.com